Steiner DBAL-D2
Dual beam laser with green visible and IR pointer plus powerful sub-600mW LED IR illuminator
- Price
- $1,789
- Weight
- 8.6 oz
- Brand
- Steiner
- Category
- Lasers
Featured in
Features
- •<600mW LED IR illuminator
- •Green visible laser
- •IR laser
- •2-30° adjustable beam
Capability Boosts
Recommended For
Where to Buy
Compare current prices and availability from retailers we work with.
Some retailer data is older. Verify price and stock before buying.
Dbal-D2 Dual Beam Aiming Laser With Ir Illuminator - Dbal-D2 Green Aiming Laser Matte Black
Steiner DBAL-D2 Green Laser Devices w/ IR Pointer and LED IR Illuminator Black
Price History
90-day low $1723.49More rifle guides & articles
Guides
Overview
The Steiner DBAL-D2 (Dual Beam Aiming Laser - Diffuse) stands apart from competing IR devices with its exceptionally powerful sub-600mW LED infrared illuminator capable of illuminating targets at long distances. Unlike laser-based or VCSEL illuminators, the D2's LED technology provides wide, uniform flood coverage with adjustable beam divergence from 2° (tight spot) to 30° (wide flood), making it ideal for both long-range observation and close-quarters operations. This makes it the go-to choice for users who prioritize raw illumination power over compact size.
The device combines three essential functions: a Class 3R green visible laser (<5mW at 532nm) for daylight zeroing, a Class 1 eye-safe IR laser pointer (<0.7mW at 850nm) for night vision aiming, and the standout LED IR illuminator rated under 600mW. The visible and IR lasers are co-aligned, meaning zeroing the visible green laser during daylight automatically dials in the IR pointer for night operations. This co-alignment eliminates the need for separate zeroing procedures under NVGs.
Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum and submersible to 5 meters, the DBAL-D2 delivers military-grade durability in a civilian-market package. The integrated push-button activation switch and remote cable port provide flexible activation options, while fully adjustable windage and elevation controls enable precise zeroing. Powered by a single CR123A battery with over 3 hours of runtime, the D2 offers excellent endurance for extended operations. Steiner's current page lists the black 9001 model at $2,299.99 MSRP and marks the desert sand 9002 version discontinued.
Key Features
- Exceptionally powerful sub-600mW LED IR illuminator
- Adjustable beam divergence: 2° tight spot to 30° wide flood
- Co-aligned green visible laser (Class 3R, <5mW, 532nm) and IR pointer (Class 1, <0.7mW, 850nm)
- Wide, uniform LED flood coverage vs laser-based illuminators
- Aircraft aluminum construction, submersible to 5m
- Integrated push-button activation plus remote cable port
- Quick Release HT Mount for Picatinny rails
- Fully adjustable windage and elevation controls
- Single CR123A battery with >3 hours runtime
- Black 9001 model current; desert sand 9002 listed discontinued
- 2-year manufacturer warranty
Pros
- +Very high illuminator output for a civilian-market LED unit
- +Strong long-distance illumination performance
- +Wide adjustable beam (2° to 30°) for varied distances
- +LED provides more uniform flood than laser illuminators
- +Co-aligned lasers simplify zeroing procedures
- +Submersible to 5m with military-grade construction
- +Excellent battery life (>3 hours continuous)
- +Proven Steiner reliability and 2-year warranty
Cons
- −Larger and heavier than modern VCSEL alternatives (8.6 oz)
- −LED can cause overexposure at close range if not adjusted
- −Less compact than IRIS-GR3 or SMS Trinity
- −Current $2,299.99 MSRP is higher than older street-price assumptions
- −Operating temp range limited (+4°C to +65°C) vs competitors
Setup & Operation
Step-by-step procedures for setting up, operating, and maintaining the Steiner DBAL-D2.
- → Install the CR123A Battery
- → Mount the DBAL-D2 with the Quick Release Mount
- → Read the 7-Position Activation Mode Selector Switch
- → Fire the Selected Mode and Latch Continuous On
- → Install and Use the Remote Cable Switch
- → Focus the IR LED Illuminator from 2 to 30 Degrees
- → Return the Adjusters to the Factory Neutral Preset
- → Apply a Positive Load on Counter-Clockwise Adjustments
- → Zero the Aiming Laser on a 25-Meter Range
- → Clean and Inspect the DBAL-D2
Install the CR123A Battery
One 3 V CR123A lithium cell runs the pointer, the IR laser, and the 600 mW LED illuminator. Steiner recommends a high-quality cell, which matters more here than on a pointer-only laser because the LED illuminator is the load that actually drains a battery.
The green LED at the bottom right of the activation mode selector switch is the status and low-battery indicator. Continuously lit means the device is emitting. Blinking means the cell is low and the manual says it must be replaced.
- • One 3 V CR123A lithium battery
- • Soft cloth or disposable applicator
- • Isopropyl alcohol for the cap threads
- 01
Clear the weapon and switch to OFF
Be sure the weapon is CLEAR and on SAFE, and set the activation mode selector switch to OFF before opening the battery compartment.
- 02
Unscrew the battery cap counter-clockwise
Turn the battery cap in a CCW direction, then remove and properly discard the spent cell.
- 03
Inspect the compartment and cap
Check the battery compartment for dirt, moisture, and corrosion and clean it with a soft cloth or disposable applicator. If the cap or housing threads look oily or dirty, clean them with isopropyl alcohol on a soft cloth.
- 04
Inspect the O-ring
Check the O-ring seal on the battery cap for sand and dirt particles, nicks, cuts, and abrasion, and confirm it still feels soft. Losing or damaging that O-ring is what lets water into the housing. Never pry an O-ring out with a sharp or metal object.
- 05
Install the cell and hand tighten
Install the battery as indicated by the marking on the DBAL-D2 housing, then reinstall the battery cap and hand tighten it in a CW direction.
Do not store the DBAL-D2 with the battery installed. Steiner defines user maintenance as installing a cell before each use and removing it after, and lists removing the battery as an after-use item in the preventive maintenance table.
Mount the DBAL-D2 with the Quick Release Mount
The quick release mount takes top, left, or right rail, and Steiner states that testing showed accuracy is best with the DBAL-D2 on the forward rails. Rail position is also a zeroing decision: if the unit comes off, it goes back in the same slot or the zero goes with it.
Two conditions decide whether the zero holds. The mount has to be fully tightened, and the base has to sit fully seated on the rail with no front or rear overhang.
- 01
Clear the weapon
Confirm the weapon is CLEAR and on SAFE before mounting.
- 02
Open the lever perpendicular to the housing
Open the quick release mount so it sits perpendicular to the DBAL-D2 housing.
- 03
Buffer the left side and index the crossbar
Place the rail buffer against the left side of the MIL-STD-1913 rail and align the crossbar on the bottom of the mount with a rail slot.
- 04
Push forward and close the lever
Push forward on the DBAL-D2 so the crossbar contacts the front of the slot, then move the quick release lever arm until it is parallel with the body of the laser housing.
- 05
Leave battery clearance and check the offset
Place the device far enough back on the rail to allow battery replacement without removing it from the weapon. At factory neutral, the pointer should project on the same side of the target as the laser is mounted and fall within a 1.5 mrad circle, which is 10.2 cm of the bore at 25 meters.
If the laser will not stay tight on the rail, Steiner's troubleshooting order is to move it to a different position on the rail, then to a different rail on the weapon, then to replace the rail. Loose-on-rail is the first thing the manual checks when a pointer will not hold zero.
Read the 7-Position Activation Mode Selector Switch
The rotary switch on the center rear of the housing has seven positions, and the infrared side is organized around the pointer rather than around power levels. There is no low-power IR pointer setting: the pointer runs high whenever it runs, and what changes is whether the LED illuminator comes along and at what output.
Steiner warns that the DBAL-D2 will not operate if the rotary switch is not precisely aligned with a marked position, and that the detent stiffens in extreme cold. If the device seems dead, check the switch index before you check the battery.
- 01
H V, high visible pointer
High-power visible pointer, for pointing or aiming at close range in daylight or at longer range in low light. Steiner explicitly says do not use this position for boresighting the weapon.
- 02
L V, low visible pointer
Low-power visible pointer. The manual's primary use for it is boresighting the laser to the weapon in low light, and close-quarters work.
- 03
OFF
Not in use or in storage. This is also the position the manual requires before you inspect the exit port lenses, because otherwise the fire button can put a beam in your eye.
- 04
IP, high IR pointer
High-power infrared pointer alone, used for acquiring targets. Requires a night vision device to see.
- 05
IP/L, high IR pointer with low illuminator
High IR pointer plus the LED illuminator at low output, for pointing and aiming indoors or outdoors at close range with illumination of shadowed areas.
- 06
IP/H, high IR pointer with high illuminator
High IR pointer plus the LED illuminator at full output. This is the long-range engagement position: it lights the target area and gives you an aiming point in the same mode.
- 07
H IL, high IR LED illuminator
Illuminator alone at high output, for supplemental illumination of a shadowed area without projecting an aiming dot.
The manual calls the DBAL-D2 a Class IIIa laser device. Its safety data table lists the green visible pointer at under 1 mW on low with a 17.1 m nominal ocular hazard distance and under 5 mW on high with a 45 m NOHD, the IR pointer at under 0.7 mW as Class I with a 0 m NOHD, and the LED illuminator at under 300 mW low and under 600 mW high, both rated eye safe with a 0 m NOHD. Do not stare into the visible or infrared beam, do not look into either through binoculars or telescopes, do not point them at mirror-like surfaces, and do not shine them into anyone's eyes.
Fire the Selected Mode and Latch Continuous On
The integrated momentary activation switch sits on the left rear of the housing above the word FIRE. Press and hold for momentary, press twice in rapid succession for a five-minute continuous on, press once more to drop back to momentary. The remote cable pad behaves identically.
Steiner notes that the click of the integrated switch is quietest when you press the center of the switch rather than an edge, which is a real consideration on a device whose whole purpose is working in the dark.
- 01
Index the mode selector first
Rotate the activation mode selector switch onto a marked position. The fire button does nothing at OFF, and the device will not operate with the rotary switch between detents.
- 02
Momentary
Firmly press and hold the integrated momentary activation switch. The laser selected by the mode selector runs while you hold it and stops when you release.
- 03
Continuous on
Press the switch twice in rapid succession to latch the selected mode on for five minutes. Press once more to return to momentary.
- 04
Know how to break the latch
Once continuous on is latched, the manual notes that rotating the switch does not return the device to momentary unless it is moved through the OFF position, and the five-minute timeout stays in effect.
- 05
Read the green LED
Continuously lit means the DBAL-D2 is emitting laser or LED energy. Blinking means low battery and a cell that has to be replaced, not a laser fault.
Install and Use the Remote Cable Switch
A 7 inch straight remote cable switch plugs into the back of the housing and drives whatever the mode selector has selected. It gives a tactile, silent click at activation, and it carries the same momentary and five-minute continuous behavior as the on-body button.
Mounting is hook and loop. A hook strip is pre-attached to the pressure pad at the factory, and the loop strip ships loose so the pad goes wherever your support hand lands.
- • Supplied tape fastener loop
- 01
Seat the plug with a gentle twist
Gently twist the plug into the remote cable port on the back of the DBAL-D2. It locks in place automatically once seated.
- 02
Secure the pad with the loop fastener
Use the supplied tape fastener loop to secure the remote cable switch to the weapon in a position convenient to your support hand.
- 03
Confirm the mode selector is on a marked position
The remote does nothing with the mode selector at OFF or indexed between detents. Rotate it to a mode, press the pad, and confirm the green LED lights.
- 04
Remove by the plug sleeve
To remove the remote cable switch, pull back on the plug's sleeve and clasp the cable plug assembly. Steiner specifically cautions against removing it by pulling on the cable.
If the remote is dead but the integrated fire button works, the manual's check order is plug seating first, then the remote cable port for mud and dirt, then the plug contacts. Flush the port with water and wipe it dry before assuming the switch has failed.
Focus the IR LED Illuminator from 2 to 30 Degrees
The adjustable bezel takes the LED illuminator from a 2 degree beam to a 30 degree flood, and a triangle marked on the side of the housing shows which way to turn for which. Steiner's own guidance is direct: focus to 2 degrees for long-range targets, defocus to 30 degrees for short-range wide illumination. At full output and full focus the manual rates the illuminator beyond 1000 m under starlight, dropping to roughly 300 m on low.
The focus knob is also a water seal, so its resting position before immersion matters.
- 01
Open the exit port cover first
Open the IR LED illuminator exit port cover before turning the focus knob. Turning the knob with the cover in place damages the cover.
- 02
Read the triangle on the housing
The triangle marked on the side of the housing indicates the direction of rotation and the corresponding beam size across the 2 to 30 degree range.
- 03
Focus tight for distance
Turn the knob to the 2 degree end for long-range targets. This is where the illuminator's rated reach past 1000 m under starlight comes from.
- 04
Defocus wide for close work
Turn the knob to the 30 degree end for short-range wide illumination, which is the setting for rooms, yards, and shadowed areas at close range.
Before water operations or immersion, turn the IR LED illuminator focusing knob CW until it is seated on the housing. That fully compresses the internal O-rings and is what keeps water out. Expect more resistance from the focus knob in extreme cold.
Return the Adjusters to the Factory Neutral Preset
The DBAL-D2 ships preset with the beam parallel to the bore. Returning to that preset is step three of the manual's own zeroing procedure, and it is also the fix when the adjusters stop giving a full click value at the ends of travel.
Always start with the adjuster marked U/D. Each adjuster and each adjuster guard carries a dot, and their alignment is the neutral index.
- 01
Turn the U/D adjuster clockwise to end of travel
Rotate the adjuster marked U/D CW to the end of travel. Do not force it past the mechanical stop; rising resistance means you are already there.
- 02
Back it off one and one-quarter turns
Turn the same adjuster CCW one and one-quarter turns.
- 03
Index on the dots
Turn it CW until the dot on the adjuster aligns with the dot on the adjuster guard.
- 04
Repeat on the R/L adjuster
Run the identical sequence on the adjuster marked R/L: CW to end of travel, CCW one and one-quarter turns, then CW until the dots align.
The visible pointer and the IR pointer share this pair of adjusters, so the preset restores both at once. Total travel from neutral is roughly 10 inches, or 25 cm, in each direction at 25 meters.
Apply a Positive Load on Counter-Clockwise Adjustments
A positive load is the controlled compression of the spring inside the adjuster mechanism, and Steiner requires it any time an adjustment moves counter-clockwise. Without it the adjuster can shift when the weapon is fired, which shows up later as a zero that walked for no visible reason. Clockwise adjustments need no positive load.
A quarter turn is 8 clicks, and the whole procedure is built on that number.
- 01
Start with the U/D adjuster
Steiner's instruction is to always boresight or zero starting with the adjuster marked U/D, before touching the other axis.
- 02
Overshoot 8 clicks counter-clockwise
For any CCW move, turn the adjuster an additional quarter turn, 8 clicks, past the position you want.
- 03
Finish clockwise onto the number
Turn the adjuster CW onto the intended position. Steiner's worked example: to net one click CCW, turn 8 clicks CCW and then 7 clicks CW.
- 04
Seat every detent
Make sure the mechanism has engaged a detent rather than stopping between two. A partially engaged detent lets the laser move when the weapon fires. Move one click at a time so the adjuster cannot jump detents.
At maximum travel in either direction the point may trace a small loop when you reverse, and may not move a full 1 cm per click at 25 meters. Both are normal per the manual. When that starts happening, return the adjusters to factory neutral instead of chasing the group.
Zero the Aiming Laser on a 25-Meter Range
The visible and IR pointers are co-aligned and share adjusters, so the visible beam can be zeroed in daylight without a night vision device and the IR pointer comes with it. Steiner's refinement is to zero whichever pointer you actually intend to use, because that is the one that ends up exact.
Each adjuster click moves the strike point 1 cm on a 25-meter zeroing target. Direction depends on mounting position: the adjuster guards are marked with arrows and the letters U/D and R/L showing shot group movement for a top-mounted laser, while the manual's printed table covers a left-side mount, where the U/D side adjuster moves the group left clockwise and the R/L top adjuster moves it up clockwise.
- • 25-meter zeroing target
- • E silhouette or similar target backer
- • Stable rest
- • Night vision device if zeroing the IR pointer
- 01
Mark the strike zone and set the target
On a 25-meter zeroing target, mark the designated strike point and the designated 4 cm or 6 cm strike zone for your weapon, then mount the target on an E silhouette or other suitable surface at 25 meters.
- 02
Start from factory neutral
Set the adjusters to their factory neutral position before firing.
- 03
Select the pointer and latch it on
Rotate the activation mode selector to the pointer you are zeroing, then press the integrated switch or the remote pad twice in rapid succession to run the laser continuously. Do not boresight on the high-power visible position.
- 04
Aim through the cutout
When aligning the IR pointer, leave the IR LED illuminator exit port cover in place so the flood does not wash out the dot. Aim center mass of the target until the aiming laser disappears through the 4 cm cutout.
- 05
Fire a three-round group and adjust
Fire a 3-round shot group, note the group center relative to the strike zone, and move the aiming beam adjusters to bring the center into it. Apply a positive load on any counter-clockwise move.
- 06
Repeat to the standard, then switch to OFF
Repeat firing and adjusting until the group is in the strike zone. On M16 and M4 series weapons, 5 of 6 consecutive rounds inside the designated 4 cm strike zone is zeroed. Rotate the mode selector to OFF when you are done.
Never boresight in the high power mode of operation. If a laser borelight was used, remove it from the weapon before firing. Do not force the adjusters past their end of travel.
Clean and Inspect the DBAL-D2
User maintenance is inspection, cleaning, and the battery. Flush the exterior with water and wipe it down with a clean soft cloth whenever the device gets dirty or after exposure to salt water. Wipe the pointer and illuminator exit port lenses with a soft cloth or disposable applicator dampened with water, and nothing stronger. Flush the remote cable port with water if it picks up mud, then wipe it dry.
Store the DBAL-D2 with both exit port covers installed. They prevent accidental laser emission as well as protecting the lenses, and the manual's own check is to close them, fire the visible laser, and confirm no light escapes around the cover.
Gun cleaning agents containing perchloroethylene or methylene chloride may permanently damage the DBAL-D2. Steiner's preventive maintenance table also treats a gap between the front and rear sections of the housing, a missing switch knob or adjuster cover, a cracked or missing exit port lens, and a missing illuminator focusing knob as faults that take the device out of service.
Detailed Specifications
- visibleLaser
- Class 3R green (<5mW, 532nm ±3%)
- irLaser
- Class 1 (<0.7mW, 850nm ±3%)
- irIlluminator
- <600mW LED, adjustable 2° to 30° divergence
- laserRange
- Green <100m, IR <2500m capability
- beamDivergence
- 0.5 ±0.3 mRad (visible/IR laser)
- Battery Type
- Single CR123A
- Battery Life
- >3 hours continuous operation
- Mount Type
- Quick Release HT Mount (Picatinny)
- Waterproof Rating
- Submersible to 5m
- Material
- Aircraft aluminum
- temperatureRange
- +4°C to +65°C operating
- dimensions
- 4.6 x 3.4 x 1.8 inches
- Finish
- Black 9001 current; Desert Sand 9002 discontinued
- warranty
- 2 years
Pairs Well With
Top matches
Q LLC
Q Mini Fix 300 BLK Pistol
1 shared compatibility tags
Marlin
Marlin Mad Pig Customs Model 1894
1 shared compatibility tags
B&T
B&T APC223 PRO 420 mm
1 shared compatibility tags
Sig Sauer
Sig MCX Virtus Patrol 16"
1 shared compatibility tags
Sig Sauer
Sig MCX Rattler LT 6.75"
1 shared compatibility tags
Sig Sauer
Sig MCX Spear-LT 11.5"
1 shared compatibility tags
Similar Products
Compatible Platforms
Compatibility Tags
Build Your Custom Configuration
Add the Steiner DBAL-D2 to your build and see how it enhances your platform.